BTA eyes passage of Sulu redistricting law by December 2025

The Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) is aiming to pass a new law redistricting the seven parliamentary seats initially assigned to Sulu by the end of the month.

Member of the Parliament Jet Lim, BTA spokesperson, said a total of six redistricting bills have been filed before the parliament. They were referred to the appropriate committees for study and consolidation

"The Parliament is committed to an inclusive, transparent, and legally compliant districting process and aims to complete and pass the districting law by December 2025 in line with the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL)," Lim said in a press statement.

The first public consultation on the proposed measures were conducted in Bongao, Tawi-Tawi on November 6, 2025. The succeeding consultations were scheduled for Thursday, December 4, in Cotabato Special Geographic Area (SGA), Maguindanao del Sur, and Basilan; and for Sunday, December 7, in Maguindanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, and Cotabato City.

"Alongside this major task, the Parliament is diligently deliberating the proposed BARMM Budget Bill for 2026 to ensure the continued delivery of essential programs and services," said Lim.

"Managing both the districting measure and the regional budget reflects our commitment to responsible governance and uninterrupted public service," he added.

SC

In October, the Supreme Court ordered the postponement of the Bangsamoro elections originally scheduled on October 13 after it declared two districting laws—Bangsamoro Autonomy Acts (BAAs) 58 and 77—by the autonomous government as unconstitutional.

The BAA 77, or the Bangsamoro Parliamentary Act of 2025, amended BAA 58 and redistricted the vacant seats in light of an SC decision excluding Sulu from the autonomous region.

The SC also asked the BTA to pass a redistricting bill by October 30 and directed the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to continue its preparations and conduct the Bangsamoro parliamentary elections no later than March 31, 2026.

In November, the Comelec released the calendar of activities for the 2026 Bangsamoro elections, setting the inaugural polls on March 30.

Comelec Chairman George Erwin Garcia earlier said the Bangsamoro elections may be postponed anew if no redistricting law will be passed by November 30, 2025.—AOL, GMA Integrated News